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As a child, my entire family spent many Sundays on the beach at Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins would gather for a fun filled day. Our day would start with breakfast on the beach: my dad and grandfather would take their Coleman stoves and Griswold frying pans to fix us a delicious breakfast of bacon, home fries and eggs. After breakfast we would spend the day on the beach, swimming, chasing seagulls, collecting shells, flying kites and playing in the sand, while the adults basked in the sun. We also would have a cookout lunch and supper while enjoying our day.
The peninsula has changed slightly since I was a kid, but when I take my family there for the day those memories all return.
Presque Isle is a State Park located four miles west of downtown Erie. It is a 3,200 acre recurving sand pit peninsula, with nine guarded beaches, walking and biking trails, numerous picnic and fishing areas. Presque Isle is Pennsylvania’s only surf beach and one of Pennsylvania’s landmarks. There is a 14 mile loop of road that travels through swampy areas, beaches and woods, an excellent place for a Sunday drive. On one side of the peninsula is Lake Erie and on the other Presque Isle Bay. The Peninsula is a day use park only: there is no overnight camping permitted. The gates at the entrance to the park close at different times depending on the time of year.
On the lake side of the peninsula the beaches are located. Each beach has a dressing area and restrooms, and several even have concession stands. There are also picnic tables and built in charcoal grills located in the shade of the trees near the beaches. On Beach 7 there is even a ramp for handicapped swimmers to enjoy the water. The park staff keeps a close eye on the beaches: they check the bacteria levels daily and also the wave height. There is a large sign at the park entrance that will let you know which beaches are open and which are closed. Swimming is allowed only on guarded beaches from 10AM to 8PM, Memorial Day through Labor Day. The guarded beaches are marked by buoys floating in the water off shore and large orange cones on the beach. Depending on the time of day and the amount of life guards working, the area of beach being guarded varies. There are also park rangers constantly patrolling either by bicycle, motorcycle or atv’s.
On the bay side of the peninsula is where the trails are located as well as many fishing spots. You can see people sitting about elbow to elbow at some of these spots, all trying to catch the “big one”. There are 11 miles of hiking and walking trails that permit no bicycles. But there is a 5.8 mile multi-user trail that can be used by bicyclists, roller bladers, and skateboarders. Boating enthusiasts can enjoy the bay for fishing, water skiing and just taking a ride. Jet skiing is also permitted.
With several large marinas and boat launching areas this is a perfect place for someone with any type of boat. Any sized motor is permitted on the bay, but some of the smaller waterways and lagoons permit only up to a 10 horse power motor.
As a child I loved watching the sailboats sailing in the bay. Their sails looked light colorful butterflies bobbing and turning on the blue-green water. It seemed like no two were the same.
In the winter, brave folks try ice sailing on the bay. Although the thought of riding one of those on the ice scares me to death, many people find this sport thrilling. It is not unusual either to see little ice fishing shacks set up for those brave souls that like to drill holes in the ice to catch fish.
There is no swimming allowed on the bay side of the peninsula.
Some of my favorite non-swimming places to visit on the Peninsula are Horseshoe Pond and the lighthouse. Horseshoe Pond is a fairly large pond where the houseboats are moored. The first time I ever saw one of these little floating “houses,” I knew that was where I wanted to live.
The Presque Isle Lighthouse, built in 1872 and first lit in 1873, is a beautiful red brick 57 foot tall tower. Now it is used as a park residence and the flashing white light is still maintained by the Coast Guard.
My parents used to find out when the ocean ships and barges would be coming into the bay to dock for the winter to be repaired, and we would travel out on the peninsula to watch them come in. Also when you were swimming on the beach it was not unusual to see a ship come past going out on the lake headed for Canada.
The wildlife on the peninsula is very well protected and studied: over 320 different species of birds have been recorded, 39 of those are on the list of concerned species. Many other animals can been seen while traveling in the park, such as deer, geese, ducks and chipmunks will even visit your picnic site. The park officials also take great care in preserving not only the wildlife but other natural plants and vegetation in the park.
This is just a brief example of what Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania has to offer. With over four million visitors each year the Presque Isle Peninsula is just one of Pennsylvania's beautiful places to visit.
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